16 Tooth Front Sprocket on F650GS

[BBB61]

Having read some threads on here about lowering the gearing on the F650 it seems the easiest way to do this is to retain the standard size rear sprocket and go down from the 17 to 16 tooth sprocket on the front. Will making this change mean a change in the number of links in the chain?

 

[artig]

I had this done when the chain was replaced under warranty when the bike was near-new. No change in the number of chain links. I haven't regretted the change, and the gearing is still higher than on the F800GS. The sprocket was actually an Aprilia replacement part, for the Pegaso I seem to recall.

 

[Smythson]

F8GS runs a 16 tooth as standard should you wish to change down a tooth.

Links remain same - chain is quite (generally speaking) slack due to the long travel. The loss of a tooth only makes for about 0.9% more free chain...

S

 

[BBB61]

Thank you Artig and Smythson

 

[Bem]

I am sure you will be happy with the change. It allows the revs to be used at appropriate road speeds (??) - typically I now have a choice of three gears for any situation rather than two.

 

[Reggie P]

I can see why this is a tempting mod. But what is the bike like at 85-90 mph (indicated !) ??

 

[BBB61]

I can see why this is a tempting mod. But what is the bike like at 85-90 mph (indicated !) ??

I will be fitting the sprocket at the weekend and I will get a report back from my good lady in due course (it is her bike).

 

[artig]

I can see why this is a tempting mod. But what is the bike like at 85-90 mph (indicated !) ??

What is the F800GS like at 85-90 mph? Even with this mod the F650GS has higher gearing than the F800GS, which has the 16-tooth front sprocket as well as one tooth more than the 650 on the rear sprocket.

Actually I haven't tried it at those speeds except on a racetrack. Getting caught doing 140 km/h (just under 90 mph) here on a public road means instant loss of license for 28 days. You even have the pleasure of walking home.

 

[Smythson]

What is the F800GS like at 85-90 mph? Even with this mod the F650GS has higher gearing than the F800GS, which has the 16-tooth front sprocket as well as one tooth more than the 650 on the rear sprocket.

Actually I haven't tried it at those speeds except on a racetrack. Getting caught doing 140 km/h (just under 90 mph) here on a public road means instant loss of license for 28 days. You even have the pleasure of walking home.

Just Googled Bay of Plenty - with scenery like yours i can't imagine wanting to speed! Over here we have to be doing over 100 mph before we get in real trouble ie court as opposed to a ticket / points on licence. On our 70mph motorways 85-90mph is an average for anything other than big trucks, old people and those wanting to save on fuel...